Aspergillus Terreus Research Articles

Fungal profile, levels of aflatoxin M1, exposure, and the risk characterization of local cheese ‘wagashi’ consumed in the Ho Municipality, Volta Region, Ghana

Wagashi is a West African type cottage cheese locally prepared from cow milk. Wagashi like other milk products, is prone to microbial contamination, particularly by fungi. Many of these fungal species produce mycotoxins which are of serious public health concern. This work aimed to update the mycoflora profile and determine the concentrations of aflatoxin M1 and its health risk characterization due to the consumption of wagashi. Culturing the wagashi on mycological media (Oxytetracycline Glucose Yeast Extract OGYE, Dichloran Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol DRBC) caused a de-novo growth of the quiescent spores at 28–30 °C for 5–7 days. The analysis of AFM1 levels in the samples was done using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography connected to a Fluorescence detector (HPLC-FLD). The exposure and risk assessment to the AFMI levels were determined using deterministic models prescribed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The fungal counts ranged between 2.36–4.30 log10 CFU/g. In total, thirteen (13) fungal species from eight (8) genera were isolated from all wagashi samples. They are; Fusarium oxysporum, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium verticillioides, Penicillium digitatum, Trichoderma harzianum, Aspergillus terreus, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Rhizopus stolonifer, Aspergillus fumigatus, Yeast sp., Mucor racemosus and Fusarium oligosporum belonging to the genera Fusarium, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Trichoderma, Rhodotorula, Rhizopus, Yeast, and Mucor. The AFM1 observed in the wagashi samples' analysis was low, ranging from 0.00 (Not Detected) ± 0.00 − 0.06 ± 0.002 µg/Kg. Risk assessments of AFM1 using deterministic models produced outcomes that ranged between 5.92 × 10−3- 0.14 ng/kg bw/day, 1.42 –44.35, 0–0.0323 ng aflatoxins/kg bw/day, and 1.51 × 10−3 − 9.69 × 10−4 cases/100,000 person/yr for estimated daily intake (EDI), margin of exposure (MOE), average potency, and cancer risks, respectively, for the age categories investigated. Fungal counts were interpreted as medium to high. It was also established that the consumption of wagashi may pose adverse health effects on all age categories in the selected zones of the study since all calculated MOE values were less than 100,000.

Determination of cellulolytic potentials of <i>Aspergillus</i> species isolated from central waste dump site of Nile University of Nigeria

A large number of microorganisms are capable of degrading cellulose but only a few of these microorganisms produce significant quantities of enzymes capable of completely hydrolyzing cellulose. Fungi are the main cellulase-producing microorganisms. This study was aimed to determine the cellulolytic potentials of Aspergillus species isolated from the central waste dump site of Nile University of Nigeria. In this study, fungal species were isolated from soil samples obtained from waste dump site using pour plate technique. The isolates were characterized using cultural and morphological features as well as microscopic examination. Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus terreus, which were isolated were further screened on carboxymethylcellulose agar for their ability to degrade cellulose. Screening of fungal isolates was performed by plate method. Cellulolytic fungi were evaluated after 5 days for the production of cellulolytic enzymes by staining with 1% Congo red. The diameter of clear zone on fungal plates, gave an approximate indication of cellulase activities. Aspergillus niger had a zone of clearing of 25.50 mm while Aspergillus flavus had 18.50 mm. Aspergillus terreus did not show any cellulolytic activity. Aspergillus niger had the highest occurrence rate of 50%. Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus terreus both had 25% occurrence rate.

Biological Activity and Sterilization Mechanism of Marine Fungi-derived Aromatic Butenolide Asperbutenolide A Against Staphylococcus aureus.

Marine fungi represent a huge untapped resource of natural products. The bio-activity of a new asperbutenolide A from marine fungus Aspergillus terreus was not well known. In the present study, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and RNA-Sequencing were used to analyze the bio-activity and sterilization mechanism of asperbutenolide A against clinical pathogenic microbes. The results showed that the MICs of asperbutenolide A against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were 4.0-8.0 μg/mL. The asperbutenolide A present poor bio-activity against with candida. The sterilization mechanism of asperbutenolide A against MRSA showed that there were 1426 differentially-expressed genes (DEGs) between the groups of MRSA treated with asperbutenolide A and negative control. Gene Ontology (GO) classification analysis indicated that the DEGs were mainly involved in cellular process, metabolic process, cellular anatomical entity, binding, catalytic activity, etc. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) classification analysis showed that these DEGs were mainly enriched in amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, membrane transport, etc. Moreover, qRT-PCR showed similar trends in the expressions of argF, ureA, glmS and opuCA with the RNA-Sequencing. These results indicated that asperbutenolide A was with ideal bio-activity against with MRSA and could be as a new antibacterial agent.

Meroterpenoids from the marine-derived fungus Aspergillus terreus GZU-31-1 exerts anti-liver fibrosis effects by targeting the Nrf2 signaling in vitro

Six undescribed meroterpenoids aspertermeroterpenes A−F and four known analogues were isolated from the marine-derived fungus Aspergillus terreus GZU-31-1. Their structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic methods and electronic circular dichroism calculations. All meroterpenoids possessed the unique acetyl group at C-11, and also aspertermeroterpene A featured the rare C-14 decarboxylated in DMOA meroterpenoids. In the bioassays, aspermeroterpene B exhibited a potent inhibitory effect on the activation of hepatic stellate cells at the concentration of 5 μM via targeting the Nrf2 signaling. This is the first time reported that aspermeroterpene B as a previously undescribed carbon skeleton of meroterpenoid possessed anti-liver fibrosis effect.

Polymeric coating doped with nanomaterials for functional impact on different substrates

Microorganism contamination on substrate surfaces is arousing increasingly concern as a serious health issue. In this research work, antimicrobial water-based acrylic paint containing silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) was prepared using the facile Ag+ in situ reduction process, in which AgNO3 and reducing agent sodium acrylate were refluxed with acrylic polymeric solution to obtain an antimicrobial and antifungal polymeric material for substrate coating. The Synthesized antimicrobial and antifungal water-based acrylic paint were characterized by different spectroscopic techniques. The FTIR and UV–Visible spectroscopic analyses were investigated to study the water-based acrylic paint structure as well as the significant impact of Ag NPs on the paint matrix. The UV–Visible and FTIR Spectra peak shows successful integration of Ag NPs within the polymer matrix without altering the core functional groups of the paint. The water based acrylic paint exhibited a strong antimicrobial activity, revealed substantial inhibition zones against all four strains of Gram negative represented by Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Gram-positive represented by Bacillus cereus. The coated film on substrate also shows great inhibition zone which exhibit a strong antimicrobial activity. Moreover, water based acrylic paint also exhibited a great antifungal activity, revealed substantial zone of inhibition against the Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus terreus and Rhizopus arrhizus fungal strains. Also, the coated film showed the best adhesion at 50% and 80% solution of polymeric coating sample as compared to pure or very dilute sample coating. This innovative approach has the potential to revolutionize varies industries from healthcare to construction.

Camptothecin bioprocessing from Aspergillus terreus, an endophyte of Catharanthus roseus: antiproliferative activity, topoisomerase inhibition and cell cycle analysis

Attenuation of camptothecin (CPT) productivity by fungi with preservation and subculturing is the challenge that halts fungi to be an industrial platform of CPT production. Thus, screening for novel endophytic fungal isolates with metabolic stability for CPT production was the objective. Catharanthus roseus is one of the medicinal plants with diverse bioactive metabolites that could have a plethora of novel endophytes with unique metabolites. Among the endophytes of C. roseus, Aspergillus terreus EFBL-NV OR131583.1 had the most CPT producing potency (90.2 μg/l), the chemical identity of the putative CPT was verified by HPLC, FT-IR, NMR and LC–MS/MS. The putative A. terreus CPT had the same molecular mass (349 m/z), and molecular fragmentation patterns of the authentic one, as revealed from the MS/MS analyses. The purified CPT had a strong activity against MCF7 (5.27 μM) and UO-31 (2.2 μM), with a potential inhibition to Topo II (IC50 value 0.52 nM) than Topo 1 (IC50 value 6.9 nM). The CPT displayed a high wound healing activity to UO-31 cells, stopping their metastasis, matrix formation and cell immigration. The purified CPT had a potential inducing activity to the cellular apoptosis of UO-31 by ~ 17 folds, as well as, arresting their cellular division at the S-phase, compared to the control cells. Upon Plackett–Burman design, the yield of CPT by A. terreus was increased by ~ 2.6 folds, compared to control. The yield of CPT by A. terreus was sequentially suppressed with the fungal storage and subculturing, losing ~ 50% of their CPT productivity by 3rd month and 5th generation. However, the productivity of the attenuated A. terreus culture was completely restored by adding 1% surface sterilized leaves of C. roseus, and the CPT yield was increased over-the-first culture by ~ 3.2 folds (315.2 μg/l). The restoring of CPT productivity of A. terreus in response to indigenous microbiome of C. roseus, ensures the A. terreus-microbiome interactions, releasing a chemical signal that triggers the CPT productivity of A. terreus. This is the first reports exploring the potency of A. terreus, endophyte of C. roseus” to be a platform for industrial production of CPT, with an affordable sustainability with addition of C. roseus microbiome.

Diversity and characterization of culturable fungi associated with the marine sea cucumber Holothuria scabra.

Fungi associated with the marine echinoderm, Holothuria scabra, produces extracellular enzymes and bioactive metabolites, and mycoviruses that could be used for biotechnological and pharmaceutical applications. The species identification based on molecular and morphological characteristics classified the culturable fungi into twenty-three genera belonging to eight orders, Chaetothyriales, Eurotiales, Hypocreales, Mucorales, Mycosphaerellales, Onygenales, Pleosporales and Venturiales, from four classes, Eurotiomycetes, Dothideomycetes, Mucoromycetes and Sordariomycetes of the two phyla Ascomycota and Mucoromycota. The most frequent genera were Aspergillus (relative frequency, 45.30%) and Penicillium (relative frequency, 22.68%). The Menhinick species richness and Shannon species diversity indices were 1.64 and 2.36, respectively, indicating a high diversity of fungi. An enzymatic production test revealed that sixteen isolates could produce proteases and amylases at different levels. The presence of mycoviruses was detected in eight isolates with different genomic profiles. Thirty-two of the 55 isolates produced antimicrobial metabolites which had an inhibitory effect on various microbial pathogens. Most of these active isolates were identified as Aspergillus, Penicillium and Trichoderma. Notably, Aspergillus terreus F10M7, Trichoderma harzianum F31M4 and T. harzianum F31M5 showed the most potent activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and human pathogenic fungi. Our study represents the first report of the mycobiota associated with the marine echinoderm Holothuria scabra.

Action Mechanism of Marine Endophytic Fungi Aspergillus terreus as Antibacterial Agent Against Vibrio harveyi

Mangrove ecosystems are among the most diverse marine environments, housing a variety of vegetation, such as shrubs, plants, trees, palms, and other adaptable species that thrive in both freshwater and saline conditions. These mangrove habitats serve as a rich source of secondary metabolites, contributing to various pharmacological activities and playing a crucial ecological role. Endophytic fungi constitute a substantial and measurable portion of fungal biodiversity, known to influence plant community structure and diversity. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the cytotoxic and antibacterial qualities of endophytic fungi that were isolated from Sonneratia alba mangrove leaves that were gathered in Buton, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. The fungi were isolated using surface sterilization techniques and identified based on their morphological characteristics and ITS regions of rDNA. Isolate WB 1-2, obtained from the leaves, was identified as Aspergillus terreus. The marine endophytic isolate, Aspergillus terreus, exhibited antibacterial activity against Vibrio harveyi. Scanning Electron Microscope observations conducted after 24 hours revealed inhibited cell growth in Vibrio harveyi test cells, indicating damage to the cells caused by the hyphae of marine endophytic fungi.

Entomopathogenicity Potentials of Molds Isolated from Soil and Plant Debris on Comparative Mortality of Bean Weevil (Acanthoscelides Obtectus)

Entomopathogenic fungi, with their eco-friendly nature, have emerged as promising biocontrol agents for pest management. This study explores the entomopathogenic potential of various isolates, including Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Rhizomucor spp., Fusarium spp., and Aspergillus terreus, obtained from soil and plant debris. Confirming their entomopathogenic properties through morphological characteristics, the study aligns with previous research findings on Fusarium spp. and Aspergillus sp. isolation from diverse sources. In entomopathogenic assays against the Beans Weevil, all tested isolates exhibited efficacy, with Rhizomucor spp. demonstrating rapid and sustained mortality rates, reaching 100% within the initial day. Fusarium spp. displayed a cumulative impact, reaching full efficacy by the fourth day. Aspergillus terreus and Aspergillus flavus exhibited robust potential, achieving 100% mortality by the fourth day, while Aspergillus niger displayed slightly delayed onset but reached full efficacy by the third day. These results parallel findings on the effectiveness of Aspergillus species against various insects. Comparative analysis against conventional insecticides revealed entomopathogenic fungi’s superior efficacy, with faster mortality rates than different concentrations of the insecticide. The water control group exhibited a gradual weevil mortality rate, emphasizing the natural course of mortality. The insecticide treatments, even at lower concentrations, consistently outperformed the water control group, highlighting the nuanced relationship between insecticide concentration and efficacy.

Crop residue heterogeneity: Decomposition by potential indigenous ligno-cellulolytic microbes and enzymatic profiling

The continuous depletion of fossil resources, energy-crisis and environmental pollution has gained popularity for careful selection of suitable microbial consortium to efficiently decompose crop residue and facilitate nutrient cycling. While crop residue is commonly incorporated into soil, the impact of the heterogeneity of residue on decomposition and biological mechanisms involved in extracellular carbon (C) cycle related enzyme activities remain not fully understood. To address this problem, an incubation study was conducted on chemical heterogeneity of straw and root residue with indigenous ligno-cellulolytic microbial consortium on extracellular enzymes as their activity is crucial for making in-situ residue management decisions under field condition. The activity of extracellular enzymes in different substrates showed differential variation with the type of enzyme and ranged from 16.9 to 77.6 µg mL−1, 135.7 to 410.8 µg mL−1, 66.9 to 177.1 µg mL−1 and 42.1 to 160.9 µg mL−1 for cellulase, xylanase, laccase and lignin peroxidase, respectively. Extracellular enzyme activities were sensitive to heterogeneity of biochemical constituent's present in straw and root residues and enhanced the decomposition processes with indigenous ligno-cellulolytic microbial consortium (Bacillus altitudinis, Streptomyces flavomacrosporus and Aspergillus terreus). Correlation matrix elucidated A. terreus and B. altitudinis as potential indigenous ligno-cellulolytic microbial inoculant influencing soil enzymatic activity (p < 0.001). This research work demonstrates a substantial impact of chemically diverse crop residues on the decomposition of both straw and root. It also highlights the pivotal role played by key indigenous decomposers and interactions between different microorganisms in governing the decomposition of straw and root primarily through release of extracellular enzymes. Consequently, it is novel bio-emerging strategy suggested that incorporation of the crop residues under field conditions should be carried out in conjunction with the potential indigenous ligno-cellulolytic microbial consortium for efficient decomposition in a short period of time under sustainable agriculture system.

Hypercholesterolemic agents by Aspergillus terreus in solid state and submerged fermentations

Hypercholesterolemic agents by Aspergillus terreus in solid state and submerged fermentations

Acetic Acid Production from Aspergillus terreus Isolated from Some Agricultural Soils Collected from Selected Locations within the North Gondar Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia.

Acetic acid, a substance with numerous uses as a bulk chemical, may be produced novelty by Aspergillus terreus. With the newfound understanding of Aspergillus species catabolism of glucose, fermentation techniques for the generation of secondary metabolites like acetic acid in the Ethiopian north Gondar zone can be developed with glucose feeding and pH feedback management. Previous works done on extracting organic acids including acetic acid from filamentous fungi in Ethiopia and at the global level are scanty. Therefore, this study aimed to produce acetic acid from A. terreus isolated from agricultural soils in the north Gondar zone of Ethiopia using barely straw as a substrate. In the current study, Aspergillus isolates were obtained in the samples taken from three different locations. The isolates were screened for acetic acid production. The optimum temperature and pH for the maximum production of acetic acid by the selected isolate were also undertaken. The potential isolates were further cultured using barley straw as a local substrate. Preliminary identification of the selected isolates was based on morphological methods. Molecular characterization (amplification and sequencing of the two intergenic spacers, ITS1 and ITS2, and the intervening 5.8S gene of the ribosomal RNA) was carried out to confirm the identity of the Aspergillus isolates. When the isolates were screened for the production of acetic acid, an isolate from low land (isolate LL2) had the highest yield (72.5 ± 1.65 g/l) on basal screening media. The optimum temperature and pH for the maximum production of acetic acid by this isolate were 30°C and pH 5.0. A sequence similarity of 98.5% to A. terreus isolate LL2 (KIA) was obtained by comparing the Aspergillus isolate to a reference sequence in the GenBank using the BLAST algorithm. It can be concluded from this study that A. terreus isolated from agricultural soil in the north Gondar zone of Ethiopia could produce more acetic acid using barely straw as a substrate.

Molecular identification and antimicrobial potential of endophytic fungi against some grapevine pathogens.

Endophytic fungi are microorganisms that, exhibiting within the plant tissues without causing any apparent harm to the host, establish a symbiotic relationship with plants. Host plants provide endophytic fungi with essential nutrients and a protected environment. In exchange, the fungi can enhance the plant's ability to acquire nutrients. They can also play a crucial role in increasing the host plant's tolerance to various abiotic and biotic stresses. Endophytic fungi can produce a wide range of bioactive compounds, some similar to those found in the host plant. In Iraq's Duhok province of the Kurdistan region, the plant species Vitis vinifera has been explored as a habitat for diverse endophytic microorganisms across various ecological environments. During the period from 2021 to 2022, a total of 600 samples were collected from four distinct locations: Bagera, Besfke, Barebhar, and Atrush. From these samples, twelve endophytic fungal species were isolated, including Aspergillus flavipes, Botryosphaeria dothidea, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium ruscicol, Fusarium venenatum, Chaetomium globosum, Clonostachys rosea, Mucor racemosus, Penicillium glabrum, Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus nidulans, and Aspergillus niger, Alternaria alternata, Paecilomyces maximus, Curvularia buchloes. These fungi were introduced for their potential as biocontrol agents against grapevine trunk diseases and grape rotting fungi, which pose significant risks to grapevine health and productivity. Penicilium radiatolobatum, Botrysphaeria dothidea, Fusarium ruscicola, Fusarium venenatum, and Paecilomyces maximus represented the first record as endophytes on grapevine in Iraq. Based on ITS and SSU sequencing, molecular identification confirmed these fungi's presence with sequence identities ranging from 99% to 100%. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these endophytes could be categorized into five main clusters (A, B, C, D, and E), showing high intra-group similarity. Utilizing the Dual Culture method, the endophyte Paecilomyces maximus demonstrated a 70.83% inhibition rate against Ilyonectria destructans. In the Food Poisoning method, A. flavipes and P. maximus emerged as the most effective inhibitors of Ilyonectria destructans, whereas A. terreus, M. racemosus, and P. maximus achieved complete inhibition (100%) of Botrytis cinerea. Additionally, M. racemosus was identified as the most effective biocontrol agent against Neoscytalidium dimidiatum. In conclusion, the study emphasizes the potential of endophytic fungi from Vitis vinifera as effective biocontrol agents against grapevine diseases, highlighting their role in sustainable vineyard management. These findings lead to further exploration and implementation of these fungi-inserted pest management strategies.

Metabolomic profiling of Medicago sativa-derived fungal endophytes and evaluation of their biological activities.

This study aimed to discover the potential of Medicago sativa-derived fungal endophytes as a prospective source of bioactive metabolites. In the present study, three different strains of fungal endophyte Aspergillus terreus were isolated from leaves L, roots T and stems St of Medicago sativa to explore their biological and chemical diversity. These isolated fungi were exposed to different fermentation conditions by adding various chemical elicitors to their solid fermentation media. According to LC-HRESIMS-based metabolomics and multivariate analysis, each chemical treatment had a different effect on the chemical profiles of the fungi. Orthogonal Projections to Latent Structures Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA) proposed several compounds with anticancer action against MCF-7 (a human breast cancer cell line) and MDA-MB-231 (a human epithelial breast cancer cell line).

Multilocus Sequence Analysis of Aspergillus Species from Clinical Samples and the Surge of Cryptic Aspergillosis in Southern India: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Aspergillus species cause a broad range of infections, from Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA) to invasive aspergillosis. Accurate species-level identification is crucial for diagnosis and treatment, especially since some rare Aspergillus species exhibit increased resistance to common antifungal agents. Aim: To identify Aspergillus species at the species complex level and determine the emergence of cryptic Aspergillus species using Multilocus Sequence Analysis (MLSA). Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over eight months, from January 2023 to August 2023, in three tertiary care centres in Chennai, India. Sixty Aspergillus strains were isolated from various clinical samples. The primary inclusion criteria were patients with suspected aspergillosis, categorised based on the European Organszation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Mycoses Study Group (EORTC-MSG) criteria. Isolates were grown on Oatmeal Agar or Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) and phenotypically identified using tease mount and slide culture techniques. Genomic fungal Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted and amplified using specific primers for Internal transcribed spacer (ITS), beta-tubulin, hydrophobin, and calmodulin genes, followed by nucleic acid sequencing. Results: Among the 60 Aspergillus isolates, the Aspergillus flavus complex comprised 26 (43.3%), the Aspergillus fumigatus complex 16 (26.7%), the Aspergillus niger complex 12 (20%), and the Aspergillus terreus complex 6 (10%). Initial speciation relied on microscopic and cultural characteristics. Isolates were recovered from various clinical specimens: bronchial wash 6 (10%), Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid 10 (16.7%), sputum 3 (5%), ear swab 20 (33.3%), endotracheal aspirate 8 (13.3%), pus and tissue from the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus 11 (18.3%), and tissue from other sites 2 (3.3%). MLSA identified common species such as A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. terreus, and A. niger, as well as rare species including A. awamori, A. carneus, A. lentulus, A. oryzae, A. tamarii, A. tubingensis, and A. welwitschiae. Sequence identity ranged from 99% to 100%, confirming species diversity. Phylogenetic analysis using ITS, beta-tubulin, hydrophobin, and calmodulin genes supported species identification with robust bootstrap support (1000 replications). Conclusion: Cryptic Aspergillus species are prevalent in clinical samples from the South Indian population, with a notable presence from the section Nigri and the first-time isolation of Aspergillus carneus in clinical samples from India. Molecular identification is essential for determining the invasive potential and guiding appropriate antifungal therapy.

Evaluation secondary metabolite extract produced by Aspergillus terreus isolated from poultry droppings as antimicrobial agent

Evaluation secondary metabolite extract produced by Aspergillus terreus isolated from poultry droppings as antimicrobial agent

Investigation of optimal parameters for aspartic protease production from Aspergillus terreus using solid-state fermentation

The current study presents extracellular Aspartic protease production using low-cost agro-industrial waste with the indigenously isolated novel strain Aspergillus terreus, and parameters that largely affect enzyme production, namely fermentation time, pH, moistening solution, temperature, inoculum volume, and different solutions, were utilized for enzyme extraction. The isolated fungus was identified as A. terreus (registered as A. terreus SFH5 in the gene bank) by phenotypic and molecular characterization, showed the highest aspartic protease activity of 258.6 units/mL and 272.2 units/mg using a solid-state fermentation technique during screening, and was further used for media component screening and optimization studies. The study employed wheat bran as the preferred production medium and casein as the nitrogen source. The fermentation process was conducted at a temperature of 30°C and a pH of 5. The moistening solution to fermentation medium ratio was set at 3:1, while an inoculum volume of 2 mL (containing 1 × 106 spores/10 g solid) was used. Distilled water was selected as the most effective solution for extracting the enzyme. It has been discovered that the locally isolated novel strain of A. terreus, SFH5, can efficiently produce a substantial amount of aspartic protease by utilizing agro-industrial waste. This makes it a viable candidate for large-scale optimized production of the enzyme to satisfy industrial requirements.

Statins-From Fungi to Pharmacy.

Statins have been used in the treatment of hyperlipidemia, both as monotherapy and in combination therapy. Natural fermentation processes of fungi such as Monascus spp., Penicillium spp., Aspergillus terreus, and Pleurotus ostreatus have given rise to natural statins. Compactin (mevastatin), the original naturally occurring statin, is the primary biotransformation substrate in the manufacturing process of marketed drugs. Statins are classified into natural, semi-synthetic derivatives of natural statins, and synthetic ones. Synthetic statins differ from natural statins in their structural composition, with the only common feature being the HMG-CoA-like moiety responsible for suppressing HMG-CoA reductase. Statins do not differ significantly regarding their pleiotropic and adverse effects, but their characteristics depend on their pharmacokinetic parameters and chemical properties. This paper focuses on describing the processes of obtaining natural statins, detailing the pharmacokinetics of available statins, divided into natural and synthetic, and indicating their pleiotropic effects.

Influence of Okra Extract Supplementation on Some Haematological Parameters of Male Mice Exposed to Aflatoxin

This research was directed to determine the influence of an alcoholic extract of okra on the lessening of the destructive impact of the aflatoxin produced by Aspergillus fumigatus in white mice and its influence on some physiological blood parameters. Different food samples, (grains and fruits) such as (wheat, barley, corn, rice, citrus, strawberries, and apples) were selected for the isolation of a variety of fungi. The results showed that Aspergillus flavus 15(18.7%), Aspergillus niger12(15%), Penicillium spp 7(8.7%), Aspergillus terreus 7 (8.7%), Aspergillus fumigatus7(8.7%), Alternaria spp. 10 (12.5%), Aspergillus parasiticus 6 (7.5%) Fusarium 6 (7.5%), Penicillium chrysogenum5(6.3), Mucor spp.2(2.5%),and Rhizopus stoloinfier 3(5.5%).The identified fungi were tested for aflatoxin production, and the results revealed that Aspergillus fumigatus produced the most aflatoxin. Okra alcoholic extract was tested in vivo against the negative impact of aflatoxins using different concentrations. The findings revealed that alcoholic extracts showed reasonable influence on some blood parameters, and the results are promising.&#x0D;

Anti-Staphylococcal, Anti-Candida, and Free-Radical Scavenging Potential of Soil Fungal Metabolites: A Study Supported by Phenolic Characterization and Molecular Docking Analysis.

Staphylococcus and Candida are recognized as causative agents in numerous diseases, and the rise of multidrug-resistant strains emphasizes the need to explore natural sources, such as fungi, for effective antimicrobial agents. This study aims to assess the in vitro anti-staphylococcal and anti-candidal potential of ethyl acetate extracts from various soil-derived fungal isolates. The investigation includes isolating and identifying fungal strains as well as determining their antioxidative activities, characterizing their phenolic substances through HPLC analysis, and conducting in silico molecular docking assessments of the phenolics' binding affinities to the target proteins, Staphylococcus aureus tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase and Candida albicans secreted aspartic protease 2. Out of nine fungal species tested, two highly potent isolates were identified through ITS ribosomal gene sequencing: Aspergillus terreus AUMC 15447 and A. nidulans AUMC 15444. Results indicated that A. terreus AUMC 15447 and A. nidulans AUMC 15444 extracts effectively inhibited S. aureus (concentration range: 25-0.39 mg/mL), with the A. nidulans AUMC 15444 extract demonstrating significant suppression of Candida spp. (concentration range: 3.125-0.39 mg/mL). The A. terreus AUMC 15447 extract exhibited an IC50 of 0.47 mg/mL toward DPPH radical-scavenging activity. HPLC analysis of the fungal extracts, employing 18 standards, revealed varying degrees of detected phenolics in terms of their presence and quantities. Docking investigations highlighted rutin as a potent inhibitor, showing high affinity (-16.43 kcal/mol and -12.35 kcal/mol) for S. aureus tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase and C. albicans secreted aspartic protease 2, respectively. The findings suggest that fungal metabolites, particularly phenolics, hold significant promise for the development of safe medications to combat pathogenic infections.